In what will be their first public showing in an election, the Libertarian Party announced yesterday at Oxford University that they will be contesting the Henley-on-Thames by-election just as soon as Boris Johnson fulfils his promise and resigns his seat as an MP.
And the candidate? Well that would be me, Ian Parker-Joseph.
I have been running this blog now since November 2006, and took a decision some time ago that it was about time that I stopped just talking and writing about the problems that face this country, and do something positive about it.
As one of the earliest members of the Libertarian Party I have been very lucky in being able to assist in the shaping of much of the Party policy which will be the backbone of our campaign.
You can see the Party manifesto here on the LPUK website, and you can view my campaign blog here.
In it I said:
electoral battle in the UK, and will work to spread the message that
standards and integrity — for too long a distant memory in British
politics — do still have a place in our public life.
Whilst the
Libertarian Party is new to the established political scene, our aim is
to provide a real alternative to the State-centred policies being
enacted by our incumbent Government, and to which the Conservative and
Liberal Democrat parties offer only token opposition.
Our
approach to politics is radically different, in that we put the
liberties and rights of the individual before those of the State. We
believe, and will campaign for, the State and its elected
representatives to return to their rightful role: that of public
servants, rather than masters of the public. I believe in small
government, and in honest government; where policy, decision making and
all public expenditure — including the taxpayers' money that MPs spend
on themselves — is transparent, with information freely available to
everyone, at all times.
I want to see a Britain free from
Government interference in everyday life, a Britain where business is
free of the burdens of overweight regulation and tax, and a Britain
where every individual is free to make their own choices in life,
unfettered by government imposed taxes that limit opportunity, and
State attempts to enforce a mandated lifestyle upon them.
I am a
Libertarian. I believe in small government, individual freedom, low
taxation and a minimum of regulation. I believe deeply and passionately
in freedom and independence in all areas of life.
My background
is one of Business Consulting, Programme and Project Management,
providing practical help and assistance to organisations with failing
projects and policies.
I am not a career politician who has
only ever known University and Westminster, I live and work in the real
world and like you every working day I see businesses struggling to
keep up with more and more regulation, with companies and the public
suffering with the ever increasing tax burden.
This cycle of
destruction has gone far enough. Everything that the State touches –
from health and education, through policing and pensions — is cursed
by the micro-management of bureaucracy run wild, resulting in an
endemic waste of resources, and preventing key front-line staff from
actually doing the important work that they are employed to do, and so
desperately want to do.
With their gold-plated pensions, and a
revolving door into companies granted Government contracts, those in
Westminster are happy to see this situation continue. I am not. With
your help, I intend to be part of a new type of Government; one that
aims to lift these burdens, and one that will put power back into the
hands of those to whom it rightfully belongs — the Great British
public.
If you believe, as I do that it really is time for a change in the UK, then please support me and my campaign by donating to the Libertarian Party.
For details on how to donate to the Libertarian Party and our rules, please click the icon below.
We are not a rich Party, and cannot compete with the millions of pounds that the other Parties have to pour into an election without your help.
Lets make a difference, together.
Your Life, Your Country, Your Choice.
